#FirstClassFriday: Chanel's Flying Tourbillon series

The great thing about buying a timepiece from Chanel is that it serves two purposes: First, it's a fine piece of haute horologerie to help you accurately tell the time; and second, it's a beautifully crafted piece of jewellery to complement your discerning personal style. It's two for the price of one — that's right, you're practically saving money.

Which is why we're loving the maison's Flying Tourbillon series created in collaboration with Swiss master watchmakers Renaud Et Papi. Available in limited quantities, the Flying Tourbillon collection of timepieces — consisting of the sporty J12 Skeleton and the iconic Première inspired by the octagonal shape of the No.5 bottle-stopper — all feature no upper bridge; thereby creating a dial that appears to be suspended between the sapphire crystal face and caseback.

In the Chanel J12 Skeleton Flying Tourbillon, Chanel has produced 20 pieces in a matte black ceramic case and 12 timepieces in a 18ct white gold case covered in 56 brilliant cut diamonds. However, for those who really want to stand out from the crowd, there's the J12 Skeleton Flying Tourbillon Baguette Diamonds — a unique piece crafted from 18ct white gold and set with 82 baguette cut diamonds totalling approximately five carats. Talk about luxe. Each J12 Skeleton timepiece is powered by a manual-winding Comete Flying Tourbillon Calibre that comes with a 40 hour power reserve and water-resistance to 50 metres.

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More of a classicist? Cast your eye on the Chanel Premiére Openwork Flying Tourbillon that features Coco Chanel's favourite flower, the regal Camelia, reimagined as a tourbillon with interlocking petals covered in diamonds. The watch is available in two almost identical variations save for the type of stones used in the bezel: Either diamonds or spinels. Only 12 pieces of each variation will be sold.